Hard work key to Cowboys’ future
NORTH Queensland has one last chance to make a statement to the rest of the competition, and give its home fans something to cheer about.
The Cowboys have endured a dismal second half of the year, but after “generation next” helped snap a 10-game losing streak, the confidence in the camp is high.
They will need to harness that youthful energy if they are to overcome a fullstrength Sea Eagles side that is determined to lock down a top-four spot in the finals.
The Cowboys are conversely at the other end of the
NRL ladder for the fourth straight season.
Despite the gloomy outlook of a bottom-four finish, rookie NRL coach Todd Payten is adamant there is a fair bit of brightness, especially after the heart his side has shown.
While the Cowboys’ finals push ended more than a month ago, Payten was adamant his side never gave up on the training paddock.
The players finally reaped the reward for that work against the Dragons.
“The way we have turned up through the week and actually tried to get better (has been pleasing),” Payten said.
“We have had a difficult trot through those 10 weeks, but I thought there was only one session where we looked like a team that had lost 10 in a row.
“The guys were upbeat and were still turning up trying to get better. We have a lot of young kids and we are trying to educate them. Their attitude was great and a lot of our senior guys were good, too.
“There have been a myriad things (that have hampered us). Injuries have not helped but we made some decisions at the start of the year (where) we lost a lot of experience. Some of those decisions were ourselves and some were out of our control.
“We haven’t defended well enough for periods and then our ball control at different times (has been poor). They are the three main things that have really hurt us.”
The Cowboys have been forced into one major change for the clash against Manly at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Reuben Cotter has been sidelined by a tear in his shoulder.
It is a hammer blow for the young forward, who was forced off the field for most of the season after sustaining a lisfranc injury in round 5.
But Payten has backed the 22-year-old to throw himself into his rehabilitation and come back strongly in the pre-season as he attempts to cement a spot in the middle forwards rotation.
Coen Hess will make his return from a bicep strain in the front row, while Jason Taumalolo will return to lock.
“I guess it is disappointing for Reubs,” Payten said. “He has a small tear in his shoulder that will require some rest.
“It is fortunate that he doesn’t need surgery but the poor kids can’t string a lot of games together. I am disappointed for him, but he understands that he needs to get his rehab right.
“Coen has been one of our good performers all year, and to have him back in the team will add a different dimension to us.”